French government backs police after Euro 2016 fan violence

MARSEILLE, – The French government on Sunday rallied behind police in city of Marseille after three days of fan violence marred the opening days of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament and raised questions over policing tactics and security inside the stadiums. Several hundred English and Russian fans squared off in Marseille on Saturday, hurling beer bottles and chairs and drawing volleys of tear gas from riot police who struggled to contain the skirmishes in the narrow streets of the Old Port. Later, Russian supporters charged at their English counterparts inside Marseille’s Stade Velodrome after the match, forcing panicked supporters to scale over barriers.